Planners back 180,000 bird broilers

Councillors meeting tonight are recommended to approve plans for four broiler units on land off Gulham Road, North Owersby, near Market Rasen.

Mercer farming seeks to erect the units, which will house 45,000 birds apiece, in a bid to diversify the 700 acre farm.

However, councillors and nearby residents have opposed the scheme, citing the narrowness of Gulham Road, which they say make it unsuitable for the HGVs to service the units.

West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee deferred a decision at its April 27 meeting for members to make a site visit and assess the routeing to the area.

At the meeting, Owersby Parish Council also expressed fears tawny owls maybe affected by the increased traffic, with villagers requesting access from the A46 instead.

Neighbouring ward member Lewis Strange said the proposal would damage the road and was in the wrong place.

However, planners recommend tonight’s meeting approves the project subject to conditions including the road be improved, with passing lanes, there is landscaping and an odour management strategy is followed.